We all know the feeling; we get a little queasy or bloated, there’s a tight knot in the pit of our belly or those nervous butterflies. Sometimes, our body rejects whatever we just ate, other times, nervousness and the body’s response to occasional stress can show up as symptoms in our gut, as everything in our body is interconnected.
the brain and the gastrointestinal system are directly linked in more ways than one.
When you experience psychological responses, such as an occasional stress response, it can influence the digestive system’s primary function and lead to abdominal discomfort. Our gut is like a second brain that produces its own set of chemical messengers in the digestive process. When digestion is disrupted, it sets off alarms to the nervous system that exacerbate the symptoms of our stress or “fight or flight” response. If you are busy and run down, it is important to recognize this unique relationship between the gut and our brain as it can offer insight and guidance to your overall health and well-being.
Whether for a nervous butterfly stomach, the occasional upset tummy, gas or bloating, the following herbs can be helpful:
1. Chamomile
Many people know chamomile for its calmative power and the gentle support it offers the nervous system. Not everyone knows that this familiar flower embodies very similar qualities when it comes to supporting healthy digestion as well. An aromatic and carminative bitter, It’s soft, buttery, and calming qualities are soothing to the body and mind, which may help if occasional stress or worry are causing your digestive discomfort. Because of its gentle taste, it is loved by almost everyone–from kids to elders to the common picky eater! Chamomile is excellent for occasional gas and bloating and relieves the discomfort of nausea associated with pregnancy or life stressors. Like other bitter herbs, a few drops of a tincture extract can be taken after meals in the case of occasional heartburn.*
2. Ginger
Ginger is a warming carminative that has a long history of soothing the occasional upset stomach. Herbalists use ginger to support sluggish digestion and occasional nausea. Ginger kindles the fires of digestion and alleviates occasional gas, bloating, and nausea.*
3. Peppermint
The herb’s essential oil contains menthol, a volatile substance that supports the digestive tract’s smooth muscle. It helps soothe an occasional nervous, upset stomach.*
4. Bitter Roots
Dandelion, Burdock, or Yellow Dock–these popular bitter herbs are well known, and for a good reason. They work.
Bitter herbs strengthen our digestive system by supporting its natural function; by triggering the production of the body’s endogenous digestive juices and stimulating our body’s innate digestive response.*
- Yellow dock: the root extract makes for an excellent digestive bitter and a traditional bitter for supporting a healthy digestive system.
- Dandelion: the root extract makes for an excellent digestive bitter and a traditional bitter for supporting a healthy digestive system.
- Burdock: the root is highly regarded as an unrivaled digestive tonic, and the sweetness can be attributed to the starches it stores for itself to make it through a long winter. These starches, also known as inulin, support a healthy microbiome.
We have crafted our Calm Tummy Bitters, a unique digestive bitters formula with many of the mentioned herbs and address some of the following:
- A calm tummy
- For nausea*
- For occasional morning sickness during pregnancy*
- For occasional heartburn, gas & bloating*
- To support healthy skin*
- Gentle detox*
- Free of citrus, fennel, & essential oils, so that they can be enjoyed occasionally during pregnancy and by more folks with sensitivities!
- A gentle and pleasant taste–making them perfect for kiddos and elders.
Enjoy approximately ¼ teaspoon (1.2 mL) of our bitters before or after meals or alongside a cup of chamomile or peppermint tea.
Updated February 2021
